Do not use cleaning products that contain acids or ammonia (and other harsh chemicals) as these can damage grout and glazed surfaces of the tile. Choose products that are compatible with your grout to avoid damage or discoloration of the grout. Always dry your porcelain thoroughly after cleaning.
Porcelain tiles tend to be harder, more resilient and more stain-resistant than ceramic tiles. They are one of the easiest types of tile to maintain but their surface can eventually be eroded by the regular use of corrosive chemicals such as ammonia, bleach or acids that can also damage the grout and loosen the tiles.
Extremely Durable – Porcelain is an incredibly hard material, meaning porcelain tiles are very durable and resistant to scratching, staining or fading. Very Low Maintenance – Being almost entirely non-porous, Porcelain Paving absorbs basically no moisture which means it is very easy to keep clean.
You can safely use vinegar to clean ceramic or porcelain tiles, whether they are glazed or unglazed. For other types, however, like terracotta, marble or grante, we recommend you look for ph neutral cleaner that will not harm the material.
While hydrogen peroxide is not normally used for cleaning surfaces, there is nothing in normal glazed porcelain that it would damage.
The good news is that vinegar won't damage your porcelain tiles as long as it's used properly. Hooray! Whilst the right solution is a completely safe, natural, and vegan-friendly cleaner for your floors, you do have to be careful with how you use it.
Though popular for being gentler alternatives to harsh chemical cleaners, baking soda, Borax, and even salt can harm the finish of your porcelain fixtures. As gentle as they are, these compounds are still abrasive and will scratch your finish, especially with regular use.
Do not use cleaning products that contain acids or ammonia (and other harsh chemicals) as these can damage grout and glazed surfaces of the tile. Choose products that are compatible with your grout to avoid damage or discoloration of the grout. Always dry your porcelain thoroughly after cleaning.
Things to Avoid
Stay away from products with bleach or ammonia because they can change the tile or grout coloring. If you need to scrub your floors, make sure not to use any brushes with hard bristles since they can scratch the porcelain surface.
You'll also want to steer clear of cleaners containing dyes or coloring if you're cleaning unglazed tiles. Steel wool is also a major no-no when cleaning porcelain, as small fragments can become lodged in the tile and cause rust stains over time. Lastly, avoid hard-bristled scrub brushes or anything else abrasive.
You may have guessed where this is going: porcelain tiles are not waterproof, they are water resistant. That means that if you submerge them in water long enough, then they will eventually allow that water to seep through.
Porcelain tile has a 60+ year life expectancy, so you definitely get your money's worth. It's perfect for walls, floors and indoor/outdoor installations. Rated for high-traffic areas, you won't have to worry about your porcelain floor degrading over time.
The surface of porcelain and ceramic tile do not require sealing, however, it's important to note that even though your porcelain or ceramic tile does not need to be sealed, the grout used during installation will need to be sealed and maintained.
For most types of tile, including porcelain and ceramic, you only need one key ingredient: A DIY mixture of warm water and dish soap will do the trick. Follow these steps to clean tiles: Spray the water and dish soap solution on the tile surface. Wipe the area with a damp microfiber towel or cloth.
The tile won't chip unless it is subjected to some type of force such as dropping something heavy or sharp on the tile surface. I have seen where some types of floor vacuums can impact the floor causing chips.
The type of tile matters.
For ceramic tile, acetone nail polish remover will be okay. However, stone tiles that have not been sealed, some porcelain tiles, porous soap stone, granite tiles, and marble tiles can experience problems with the use of nail polish remover or nail polish that gets stuck in the cracks.
Resistant to water, ice, and thermal shocks
The very low level of water absorption makes porcelain tiles frost resistant and resistant to lower temperatures without the risk of cracks, fissures, or detachments.
You can also use Pine-Sol® Original Squirt 'N Mop®. It's safe for wood and hard nonporous surfaces like ceramic and porcelain tiles, and also sealed granite. You can apply this product directly from the bottle over a 3' x 3' area and start mopping.
Porcelain veneers usually fail if they are not correctly bonded to the teeth. The dentist must follow specific guidelines to ensure a perfect bond. Without proper bonding, the veneers could chip or break off.
For white porcelain only, bleach can be used to remove stains; never use chlorine bleach in colored or vintage porcelain, as it can damage the finish. For both white and colored porcelain, liquid oxygen bleach (such as hydrogen peroxide) is a good alternative.
Although porcelain tiles offer exceptional durability, there are few products and techniques you should avoid at all costs. Never use a product that contains harmful chemicals such as ammonia or bleach (or any type of acid-based cleanser). These type of chemicals can alter the colour of the tiles and/or the grout.
Many homeowners ask if Magic Erasers® can be used on porcelain or if they will damage ceramic tile. The good news is that they can be safely used on ceramic tiles and porcelain, so you have nothing to worry about if you plan on using them this way.
Lemon and vinegar are acidic products that must never be used to clean porcelain tiles. Neither should alkaline ones be used like bleach or ammonia. Even though Google might tell you that they are suitable as cleaning products, they are not. Always use a cleaning product with a neutral pH.
Unlike natural stone tiles and other types of tile, porcelain is non-porous. This means that porcelain tile will not soak in the outdoor elements like water, dirt, etc. It will not change color or scratch, either, no matter how much salt or sand it might come in contact with.